The Gambia’s youth education system faces challenges including low educational attainment, gender disparities, and economic barriers. With 41% lacking formal education and only 7% attaining tertiary degrees, the government seeks to enhance skills through a national TVET Roadmap aimed at bridging gaps between youth and SMEs. Strategic partnerships and coordinated actions are critical for improving educational outcomes and accessibility.
The Gambian government, alongside international organizations, is addressing the educational challenges faced by youth in the country. Currently, 41% of Gambian youth have never received formal education or have only completed primary education. While half of the youth have finished secondary education, only 7% reach tertiary education, highlighting significant issues in educational attainment.
The Gambian education system mirrors the British framework, consisting of:
– Early Childhood Development (3 years, Levels 1-3)
– Lower Basic Education (6 years, Grades 1-6)
– Upper Basic Education (3 years, Grades 7-9)
– Secondary Education (3 years, Grades 10-12)
– Tertiary Education (4 years)
Schooling officially begins at age seven.
Significant challenges affect youth education in The Gambia, including:
– Low Learning Outcomes: Despite sector expansion, poor learning outcomes necessitate strategic partnerships for improved learning environments.
– Access Disparities: Urban-rural divides create disparities, with lower literacy rates found in rural areas.
– Gender Disparities: Social norms often prioritize marriage over girls’ education, while boys may be pressured into seeking employment abroad.
– Poverty: Economic hardships adversely affect literacy and educational achievements.
– ICT Skills: Limited presence of ICT skills among individuals aged 15 to 24 hampers employment opportunities.
– Completion Rates: Primary school completion is at 88%, while upper basic and senior secondary rates are significantly lower at 65% and 47%, respectively.
– Inclusive Education: Children with disabilities encounter restricted access due to societal norms and institutional barriers.
Similar to other developing nations, The Gambia grapples with challenges in youth engagement and the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). SMEs often struggle to find skilled workers, hindering economic competitiveness.
Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is essential for economic growth by equipping the workforce with necessary skills, boosting industry productivity, increasing citizen income levels, and improving youth employment opportunities.
To bridge the gap between young populations and SMEs, the Gambian government is enhancing the TVET sector through a national TVET Roadmap. This initiative focuses on ensuring consistent training quality, aligning programs with employer needs, and improving accessibility in rural areas. Coordinated actions at both regional and national levels are established to realize the roadmap’s objectives, which are based on a thorough evaluation of the TVET and apprenticeship systems, as well as related policies and regulations.
The Gambian educational landscape reveals significant disparities in access and outcomes, particularly for youth. With initiatives like the national TVET Roadmap, the government aims to strengthen the linkage between education and employment, particularly for SMEs. Addressing the challenges of poverty, access, and quality within the educational framework is crucial for enhancing youth competencies and economic productivity.
Original Source: thepoint.gm
